JP2008510189A - How to educate caregivers about infant care and development - Google Patents

Abstract

  A method of educating caregivers about infant care and development, said method comprising a self-supporting infant care kit comprising a storage case, wherein said case contains at least one primary care product and at least one infant care product. Providing a self-supporting infant care kit including a case suitable for secondary use containing secondary use items, at least one infant care product, and at least one educational insert, the self-supporting infant Providing a care kit to a caretaker, and making the kit available to the caretaker.

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-supporting infant care kit including a case that can be used secondarily. Self-supporting infant care kits are particularly useful for infants wearing diapers and similar absorbent articles.

  The birth of a child is often one of the most important and joyful moments of a lifetime for a parent. The joy that parents will feel when a child is born can be suppressed by great stress and anxiety. This is particularly noticeable for parents who have children for the first time who do not have the skills necessary to care for newborns. Parents are often confused by basic infant care issues such as diet, hygiene, and growth. This puzzle is driven by the excess of information received by means of advertising, samples, offerings, brochures, books, television, and other communication channels. Coupled with parental confusion regarding infant care and information overload, parents are often considered to make decisions regarding infant care based on their needs rather than the information they have acquired.

  Manufacturers of products designed for infants often conduct extensive research on infant growth and development in order to design better products. Therefore, these manufacturers have valuable and useful information about infants and toddlers. This information may include issues such as infant characteristics and growth forms. Practical education and advice may be given from the perspective of extensive research on infant growth and development. Such practical education and advice may include advice on infant care, diet, health, hygiene, etc. A problem for infant product manufacturers is how to communicate their extensive research and insight to parents.

  Infant product manufacturers have tried a variety of strategies to communicate their extensive information and knowledge in a way that is useful, interesting and helpful to parents. One of the most commonly used methods of communicating information is to provide information to parents at key times in the infant's life or care needs. For example, parents often receive information regarding neonatal care during their stay at the birthing facility, particularly while at the birthing facility for childbirth. However, as information provided by parents of infant care products to parents who are staying at birthing facilities increases, information that is more valuable to parents tends to be lost due to excessive information. Thus, it is advantageous for infant care product manufacturers to differentiate their information, knowledge, and products from information, knowledge, and products that are generally distributed to parents.

  One means used by infant care product manufacturers to communicate information and products is to provide samples of relevant newborn care products such as diapers, wipes, prescriptions, ointments and the like. Samples of items such as diapers and wipes are often limited in quantity, resulting in limited opportunities for parents to study and study the product. In general, in a sample pack containing one or two diapers, it is considered impossible for a parent to examine the specific effects of the diaper. In addition, some parents who have children for the first time will have their first diaper. These parents may need to apply a number of diapers before getting used to handling diapers. A sample pack containing a small number of diapers may not be sufficient.

  Infant care product manufacturers have not been completely successful in providing information that encourages parents to use the information for extended periods of time. Educational brochures, postal items, and booklets are often discarded. The transmission of information by mass media is often forgotten and the necessary information cannot be easily retrieved. Sample products are used and discarded.

  The present invention takes into account these identified disadvantages and provides a method for delivering useful messages to parents over a long period of time. In particular, the present invention relates to infant care and development comprising the steps of providing a self-supporting infant care kit, providing the self-supporting infant care kit to a caretaker, and making the kit available to a caretaker. Its purpose is to educate caretakers.

  The present invention relates to a method of educating caregivers regarding infant care and development. The method includes the steps of providing a self-supporting infant care kit, providing the self-supporting infant care kit to a caretaker, and enabling the caretaker to use the kit. A storage case suitable for primary use containing at least one infant care product and secondary use containing at least one secondary use item, at least one infant care product, and at least one educational insert. include. In one embodiment, the infant care product can include a diaper and / or wipe. In one embodiment, the secondary use item is a souvenir related to the infant.

  As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to a device that absorbs and confines bodily excretion, and more particularly, is placed on or in close proximity to the wearer's body and is removed from the body. A device that absorbs and traps various excreta. The term “absorbent article” refers to incontinence pants, incontinence underwear, water absorbent inserts, pants-type clothing (eg, pants are generally “closed diapers”, “pre-fixed diapers”, “pull-on diapers”). , “Training pants” and “diaper pants”), diaper holders, liners and other devices.

  As used herein, the term “disposable” refers to an absorbent article that is not generally intended to be laundered or intended to be repaired or reused as an absorbent article (ie, discarded after a single use). And is preferably intended to be recycled, composted or disposed of in a manner appropriate to the environment).

  As used herein, the term “stage of development” refers to the emotional and cognitive maturity level and / or physical ability level of each infant and includes walking ability, mobility, motor function, and coordination ability. .

  As used herein, the term “souvenir for infants” means any item stored as a souvenir of an infant's past. In general, such items are stored by caretakers, and more specifically by parents. Souvenirs related to infants may include photographs, birth certificates, bills, footprints, clothing, hair locks, hospital wristbands, caretaker notes or impressions, boots, hats, and the like.

  As used herein, the term “caretaker” refers to an individual who is responsible for the care necessary for an infant. In general, the caretaker is an individual in charge of changing diapers necessary for infants. Caregivers include parents, grandparents, relatives, babysitters, nanny, nursery teachers and others. The caretaker is the individual most likely to come into contact with the kit of the present invention.

  As used herein, the term “infant” refers to an infant wearing a water absorbent article that absorbs and contains various effluents at least once a week. The term “infant” may include newborns, premature babies, infants, toddlers, and children with incontinence.

  As used herein, the term “symbol” refers to any design, pattern, etc. that is displayed or becomes visible, particularly a text message composed of one or more alphanumeric symbols, 1 It includes images composed of one or more pictures, and combinations thereof.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-supporting infant care kit 10 that can be used secondarily. As shown in FIG. 1, the kit 10 generally includes a containment case 12 for primary use containing at least one infant care product and secondary use containing at least one secondary use item. It may be. The secondary use item can be any item contained in the case 12. The secondary use item may be an item selected by the caretaker, but a suggestion regarding an item to be secondarily stored may be made. In some embodiments, the kit 10 has a secondary use of containing memorabilia related to one or more infants. The kit 10 may include a lid 14 that engages the receiving case 12 so as to be releasable. The kit 10 may include a handle 20 for transportation. The storage case 12 may be any type of container that can primarily store one or more infant care products and can be secondarily used to store memorabilia related to one or more infants. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the kit 10 of FIG. 1 with the handle 20 and lid 14 removed from the case 12. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the kit 10 of FIG.

  In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the case 12 is shown as a hexahedron solid, ie, a solid consisting of six quadrilateral surfaces, with length, width, and depth. The case 12 may include a bottom wall 30 that joins the four side walls 32a to 32d and forms the internal space 18 (shown in FIG. 2) of the housing case 12. The sixth surface of the housing case 12 may be formed by the lid 14. Although the dimensions of the storage case 12 are not limited, the case 12 includes at least one infant care product, and an internal section 18 sufficient to store infant-related memorabilia during secondary use. Also good. In certain embodiments, the case 12 is sized to minimize unused space (space not occupied by the infant care product) in primary use to accommodate the infant care product. The shape and size of the hexahedron of case 12 allows for easy palletization, transport, and movement, while accommodating one or more infant care products and secondary storage of one or more infant memorabilia. This is beneficial in that it enables However, it can be easily recognized that the shape of the housing case 12 is not limited to the hexahedron as shown in FIG. The storage case 12 may have any other shape as long as the case 12 can store both the infant care product and the souvenir related to the infant during secondary use. For example, five side wall surfaces may be present so that the case 12 is a prism having a pentagonal bottom wall.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the case 12 may be provided with one or more partitions 17. The partition 17 allows the internal space 18 of the case 12 to be further partitioned. The partition 17 may be made of the same material as the case 12. The partition 17 may be attached to the case 12. Alternatively, the case 12 may be removable so that the caretaker can customize it for secondary use to house a souvenir related to the infant. You may arrange | position the partition 17 so that each infant care product 40 can be accommodated in a division. You may arrange | position the partition 17 so that space may be optimized when memorizing souvenirs about infants are stored secondarily. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the partition 17 extends over substantially the entire width and depth of the case 12 and divides the case 12 into two sections having substantially the same dimensions.

  Since the storage case 12 is used primarily and secondaryly, the case 12 may be made of a relatively durable material. Examples of such durable materials include paperboard, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, synthetic materials, and other sufficiently durable rigid materials.

  The housing case 12 may include a design 26, which is ideally disposed on the outer surface of the case 12. The pattern 26 may be colored with one or more colors. The symbol 26 may be a customizable symbol that allows the caretaker to personalize the symbol. The customizable symbols may include symbols that can be changed by the caretaker by means of coloring, writing, engraving, sticking stickers, and the like. In some embodiments, the customizable graphic may include a graphic that allows the caretaker to write personal information such as the infant's name, birthday, birth time, pupil color, weight, and height.

  The case 12 may include a lid 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the lid 14, together with the bottom wall 30 and the side walls 32 a-d, is closed to provide a partial or complete physical boundary for the interior space 18 of the housing case 12. The lid 14 may be reversibly engaged with the housing case 12 so as to reach the internal space 18 from the opening 19 of the housing case. The lid 14 may include an upper surface 15 and four flanges 16 a to 16 d extending downward from the upper surface 15. In the closed state, the lid 14 engages the case 12 so that the flanges 16a to 16d overlap the side walls 16a to 16d in a one-to-one relationship. The upper surface 16 may function as the sixth surface of the substantially hexahedral case 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 14 is open and removed from the case 12. In a state where the lid 14 is opened, the inner space 18 of the housing case 12 can be reached from the case opening 19 of the housing case 12. As illustrated, the lid 14 may have a structure independent of the case 12.

  In another embodiment, since the lid 14 is attached to the case 12, the lid 14 may be integrated with the case 12. For example, the lid 14 may be hinged to one of the side walls 32 of the case 12. The hinged lid 14 can be provided by any method known in the art, such as making the case 12 from an integrally molded material cut into a hexahedron. In another example, the lid 14 is cut and formed so that one flange 16 is hinged to the upper surface 15 of the lid 14. The hinged flange 16 may be attached to the side wall 32 of the case 12 by any method known in the art.

  The lid 14 may be sized to substantially cover the case opening 19. Although the size of the lid 14 is not limited, in general, the lid may be sized to fit the case 12. The lid 14 may be made from a relatively durable material, such as paperboard, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, synthetic material, or other sufficiently durable rigid material. In general, the lid 14 is made of the same material as the case 12. In some embodiments of the invention, the kit 10 may not include the lid 14.

  The lid 14 may include a lid design 28. The lid design 28 may be colored with a single color or a plurality of colors. The lid design 28 may be a customizable design that allows the caretaker to personalize the lid design 28. The customizable symbols may include symbols that can be changed by the caretaker by means of coloring, writing, engraving, sticking stickers, and the like. In one embodiment, the customizable symbol may include a symbol on which a caretaker can write personal information such as an infant's name, birthday, birth time, pupil color, weight, and height. The design 28 of the lid may be the same design as the design 26.

  Case 12 and / or lid 14 may include a window that allows a caretaker to view the contents of kit 10 without opening the housing case and / or without removing the lid. Within the scope of this description, if the window is transparent to light, the contents are visible and the viewer can identify the contents of case 12 and / or lid 14. This window may be formed by cutting out the housing case 12 and / or the lid 14, in which case the constituent material of the housing case 12 and / or the lid 14 is removed or omitted or removable. The window may be made of a substantially transparent material so that the caretaker can visually identify its contents. Suitable transparent materials are low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, LDPE / linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film laminate, LDPE / medium density polyethylene (MDPE) film laminate, LDPE / high density polyethylene (HDPE) film laminate. It may be a polyethylene film such as a body or a film laminate.

  The handle 20 may be equipped to assist caregivers in transporting the kit 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the handle 20 may have an overlapping structure surrounding at least a part of the case 12. The handle 20 may be substantially square as shown, but the shape of the handle may be different. The handle may include two centrifugal surfaces 22,23. Each of the centrifugal surfaces 22 and 23 may include an opening 24 that functions as a place for a caretaker. The handle 20 may be disposed so as to surround the case 12. In this case, the two centrifugal surfaces 22 and 23 are arranged so as to have a one-to-one relationship with each other so that the positions of the openings 24 are aligned. The handle 20 may be attached to the housing case 20 so as not to be removable or possible. For example, the handle 20 may be a separate structure that is attached to the case 12 in a manner well known in the art, such as an adhesive. In another embodiment, the handle 20 may be integrated with the case 12. For example, the handle 20 can be made in the process of forming the case 12 from a single piece of material that has been cut and folded to form the case 12 and the handle 20. The handle 20 may be made from a variety of materials such as paperboard, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, synthetic materials such as plastic, polymer coating, and other sufficiently durable rigid materials.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the kit 10 of the present invention, showing the contents of the kit 10 of FIG. In the internal space 18 of the case 12, at least one infant care product 40 (shown as a plurality of water-absorbing articles such as a plurality of wipes 42 and a diaper 50 accommodated in a container 44) is accommodated. An educational insert 60 is also accommodated in the internal space 18 of the case 12.

  The kit 10 includes at least one infant care product 40. The infant care product 40 may be any item primarily used for infant care, such as items relating to hygiene, diet, safety, health and the like. Infant care products 40 include absorbent articles (eg, diapers, pants, etc.), wipes, powders, ointments, drugs, hairbrushes, bottles, pacifiers, wash cloths, towels, detergents, soaps, infant soap, infants Shampoos, infant lotions, sponges, bibs, eye drops, nasal aspirators, thermometers, diaper change pads, diaper trash bags, and the like may also be included. The infant care product 40 included in the kit 10 may be targeted for specific infant care such as eating, bathing, changing diapers, and raising children, but may also be mixed with infant care products 40 for different purposes. For example, the infant care product 40 intended for changing diapers may include diapers, wipes, diaper rash ointments, hand cleaners, diaper change pads, diaper trash bags, and the like. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the infant care product 40 includes a wipe 42 and a diaper 50.

  The kit 10 may include one or more water-absorbing articles such as the disposable diaper 50. Diapers 50 and similar disposable absorbent articles are well known in the art. Typical diaper structures are US Pat. Nos. 3,860,003, 4,636,207, 4,695,278, 4,704,115, 4,795,454, 4,900,317, 4,909,803 (reissued as USRE 34920), 5,085,654, 5,492,751, 6,476,288, and SIR H1630 Detailed in the issue. Typical pant structures are US Pat. Nos. 5,246,433, 5,569,234, 6,120,487, 6,120,489, 4,940,464, 5,092,861, 5,897,545, 5,957,908, and US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 171,249.

  In some embodiments, the kit 10 may include one or more diapers 50. In another embodiment, the kit 10 may include ten or more diapers 50. The kit 10 may include 20 or more diapers 50. The kit 10 preferably includes a sufficient number of diapers 50 so that the caregiver can maintain a stock of diapers 50 for an extended period of time. Holding inventory for a long period of time means that there are enough diapers 50 on hand to allow the diaper 50 to be used for several days. By providing the caregiver with a sufficient number of diapers 50, the caretaker can learn from his own experience. That is, the caretaker can learn the unique features of the diaper 50 by obtaining and using a plurality of diapers 50. Furthermore, by providing a sufficient number of diapers, the caretaker learns about the performance of the diaper 50 in various wearing conditions. For example, a large amount of excrement is often excreted in the diaper 50 when worn at night when the exchange frequency is low. During daytime wear, the pressure received by the diaper 50 increases with the behavior and movement of the infant. By providing a sufficient number of diapers 50, the caretaker will thus learn about the performance characteristics of the diaper under various wearing conditions.

  The diaper 50 included in the kit 10 may be a baby diaper of any size. Various sizes of diapers 50 may be provided in the kit 10. Usually, the size of the diaper 50 is based on the weight of the infant. Typical size ranges are 0-4.5 kg (0-10 lbs), 4-6 kg (8-14 lbs), 5-8 kg (12-18 lbs), 7-13 kg (16-28 lbs) 10 to 17 kg (22 to 37 pounds), 12 kg or more (27 pounds or more), 16 kg or more (35 pounds or more), and the like. Such ranges can be classified qualitatively as newborn, size 1, size 2, size 3, size 4, size 5, and size 6, respectively. Such a range is usually provided as a guideline that indicates to the parent an optimal diaper for the infant, and an infant of a specific weight may wear a diaper in a size range that is not the weight of the infant. In one embodiment of the invention, kit 10 includes a newborn diaper. Thus, the kit 10 including the diaper 50 for a newborn is considered to be beneficial to a caretaker having a newborn.

  The diaper 50 may be packaged as a self-supporting unit. The free-standing unit is a plurality of diapers 50 that are adjacent to each other for ease of transport and handling. In one embodiment, the self-supporting unit is a group of adjacent diapers 50 that are adjacent to U.S. Pat. No. 5,934 issued to Bauer et al. On August 10, 1999. , 470, covered with an overwrap of a thermoplastic film. Other means of realizing this self-supporting unit are clearly envisioned. For example, various materials are used for the overwrap, and examples thereof include thermoplastic films, nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, foils, fabrics, paper, cardboard, rubber straps, straps, straps, and combinations thereof. However, it is not limited to these. This overwrap may completely or partially tie and / or cover a plurality of diapers 50. Other suitable packaging and packaging methods are described in US Pat. R. U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,742 issued to D.R. Muckenfuhs, and D.R. R. U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,619 issued to D.R. Muckenfuhs. Further, the self-supporting unit may include a large number of overwraps. For example, a plurality of diapers 50 may be packaged with an envelope of a thermoplastic film, and a plurality of diapers wrapped with this film may be packaged with a cardboard box or an envelope of a second thermoplastic film.

  The overwrap may include a window that allows the caretaker to visually check the diaper 50 in the overwrap without opening or breaking the overwrap. Within the scope of this description, if the window can pass light, the diaper 50 is visible and the observer can identify the contents of the overwrap. The window may be formed by cutting the overwrap, and the material of the overwrap may be removed or omitted or made removable. This window may be made of a substantially transparent material so that the caretaker can visually identify the diaper 50 in the overwrap. Suitable transparent materials are low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, LDPE / linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film laminate, LDPE / medium density polyethylene (MDPE) film laminate, LDPE / high density polyethylene (HDPE) film laminate. It may be a polyethylene film such as a body or a film laminate. In certain embodiments, the overwrap window is positioned proximate to the window of the case 12 and / or lid 14 so that the caretaker can identify the diaper 50 without opening the case 12, the lid 14 and / or the overwrap. .

  In another embodiment, the freestanding unit may include opening means that can reach the diaper 50. The kit 10 may need to be activated (eg, opening a lid, removing a panel, etc.) to reach the article. Typical opening means include a substantially continuous line of weakness (such as perforations) in the overwrap of the thermoplastic film. An exemplary opening means is presented in US Pat. No. 5,036,978 (issued to Frank et al., August 6, 1991). This self-supporting unit may not have a dedicated opening or cutting means. For example, an overwrap of a thermoplastic film without perforations can reach the diaper 50 by breaking the film.

  The kit 10 may include two or more wiping articles 42. The wipe 42 is well known in the art and is sometimes referred to as a wet towel, dry towel, wet tissue, paper towel, and the like. The wipe 42 is generally used to clean the anus, perineum, perianal area, perineum, and external genitalia after defecation or urination. The wiping article 42 is useful for cleaning when changing diapers and is frequently used. The wipe 42 may be made of a material soaked with a liquid or semi-liquid composition. The material of the wiping product 42 is generally soft and flexible. This material is a thick material that is relatively soft to improve absorbency and cleaning power, and may have a large volume. Liquid or semi-liquid compositions soaked in wipes can improve detergency, feel and / or skin condition. The structure of typical wipes is US Pat. Nos. 4,732,797, 4,741,944, 4,772,501, 4,865,221 and 4,904,524. 5,629,081, 5,648,083, 5,863,663, 5,871,763, 6,060,149, 6,083,854, Nos. 6,623,834 and 6,733,773. The structure of a typical wiping product is as follows: E. US Patent Application No. 10/883314, filed by GE Deckner et al., “Composition for Wet Wipes that Enhances the Efficacy of Cleansing While Being Gentle to the Skin) ”.

  In some embodiments, the kit 10 may include one or more wipes 42. The kit 10 may include 20 or more wipes 42. In another embodiment, the kit 10 may include 40 or more wipes 42. The kit 10 preferably includes a sufficient number of wipes 42 so that the caregiver can keep the inventory of wipes 42 over time. Long term inventory retention means that there are a sufficient number of wipes 42 at hand so that the caregiver can use the wipes 42 for several days. The longer the product's inventory retention period, the better the caretaker's understanding of the product. By providing a sufficient number of wipes 42 to the caretaker, the caretaker can learn from his own experience. That is, the caretaker can learn the characteristics unique to the wipe 42 by obtaining and using a plurality of wipes 42.

  The wiping product 42 may be accommodated in the container 44. The container 44 provides a means for receiving the wipe 42 for ease of handling and transport. When the wipe 42 is housed in the container 44, it prevents evaporation of the liquid or semi-liquid composition soaked in the wipe, or dissociation from the wipe. The container 44 may be made of a rigid material or a flexible material. In certain embodiments, the container 44 is made of any suitable plastic material. Suitable plastics are polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, high density polyethylene and the like.

  The container 44 may have any shape such as a legitimate body, a rectangular parallelepiped, or a cylinder. In an embodiment, the container 44 is a rectangular parallelepiped and may be constituted by a main body and a lid. The container body 46 may house one or more wiping articles 42 and form an internal space that becomes an opening of the container. The caretaker can reach the wipe 42 through the opening of the container. The container 44 may further include a container lid 48. The container lid 48 is typically disposed on the container body 46 and may be attached by means such as thread, snap-on fittings, connecting collars, frictional engagement, adhesives, and the like. The container lid 48 may be attached to the container body 46 by a hinge structure such as shown in US Pat. No. 6,092,690. The container lid 48 may engage the container body 46 in a closed state to cover and / or seal the container opening. However, the container lid 48 may be removable from the container body 46. The container 44 may form a water-impermeable sealing material, thereby preventing the wiping article 42 contained in the container body 46 from being dried. Exemplary containers are further described in US Pat. Nos. 6,523,690, 6,550,634, 6,269,970, and 5,531,325. The container lid 48 may be sized to allow the second plurality of wipes to be placed in the container 42 (refillable container).

  The wiping product 42 may be wrapped with wrapping paper. The wrapping paper may be made of a moisture-impermeable flexible material such as a polymer film or a metal foil. The wiping article 42 wrapped in the wrapping paper is generally used for refilling a hard container. However, the wrapping paper may be provided with resealable dispensing means that can reach and be removed from one or more wipes 42. Non-rigid containers with typical resealable dispensing means are described in US Pat. Nos. 6,604,651, 4,185,754, 3,982,659, and European Patent Application EP 0 744 357 A1. The name “Package for tissues comprising a flexible pouch and a re-usable dispensing device”.

  The wrapping paper may be provided with a window that allows a caretaker to view the wipe 42 in the wrapping paper without opening or tearing the wrapping paper. Within the scope of this description, if the window can transmit light, the wipe 42 is visible and the observer can identify the contents of the wrapping paper. The window may be made of a substantially transparent material so that the caretaker can visually identify the wipe 42 in the wrapping paper. Suitable transparent materials are low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, LDPE / linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film laminate, LDPE / medium density polyethylene (MDPE) film laminate, LDPE / high density polyethylene (HDPE) film laminate. It may be a polyethylene film such as a body or a film laminate. In certain embodiments, the wrapping paper window is positioned proximate to the window of the case 12 and / or lid 14 so that the caretaker can identify the wipe 42 without opening the case 12, the lid 14 and / or the wrapping paper. To do.

  The storage case 12 may include one or more educational inserts 60. Educational insert 60 may provide or offer to provide information, explanations, tips, advice, usage, guidance, guidance, or advice. These inserts may be in various formats such as brochures, memo cards, booklets, magazines, CDs, DVDs, audio formats such as computer readable CDs. In some embodiments, the educational insert 60 is a card in the form of an upper cover or cardboard, and related information may be printed. These cards are curvilinear on one or more sides, but may be substantially square. These cards may be of any size, but a preferred size is about 6 inches x 4 inches. The educational insert 60 is housed in an envelope 62 or other similar structure that can store a plurality of educational inserts 60 at least during primary use of housing the infant care product 40 in the housing case 12. Also good.

  One of the educational inserts 60 may be a secondary use insert that provides instructions for secondary use to store secondary use items such as souvenirs related to infants in the storage case 12. This secondary use insert may inform the caregiver that the case 12 has a secondary usage other than storing and housing one or more infant care products 40. Souvenirs such as photographs, birth certificates, bills, footprints, clothing, hair locks, hospital wristbands, caretaker notes or impressions, boots, hats, etc. that the caretaker needs to keep with this secondary use insert Types of may be provided. This secondary use insert may teach the caretaker how to reconfigure the case so that the souvenirs related to the infant can be stored more efficiently. Secondary use inserts may also provide instructions on how to efficiently organize, manage and store using the case. For example, a secondary use insert may instruct the case to place one or more partitions in the case so that the memorabilia can be sorted. The secondary use insert may instruct the caretaker to use the index insert as a souvenir classification method. Index inserts include standard infant-related classification descriptors (eg, “birth to 1 month”, “newborn”, “infant”, “toddler walking”, etc., and “January”, “February” Etc.) and / or an empty area for caretaker customization. In one embodiment, the index insert may contain no or little text. In such embodiments, the search insert may provide a dedicated area for customization of the caretaker. For example, the index insert may provide a dedicated area into which caretaker-specific infant-related classification descriptors can be inserted. In addition, this index insert may provide a dedicated area where a list of souvenirs for infants stored by the caretaker according to the index insert can be created. Such index inserts help organize the souvenirs.

  One of the educational inserts 60 may be a developmental stage insert that provides information regarding the developmental stage of one or more infants. These developmental stages indicate the maturity level and / or physical ability level of each infant's emotional and cognitive aspects, including walking ability, mobility, motor function, and coordination. These developmental stages may target a wide range of infant growth. A typical range is from newborns to active toddlers and includes five stages: pre-walking, discovery, exploration, learning, and training. The first stage of development includes pre-walking newborns that are in the stage of building trust with the caretaker and other immovable infants whose levels of behavior are not significantly different from waking up or turning over. The second developmental stage corresponds to the discovery stage, including the crawling period, and includes curious toddlers who are developing behavior in the form of sitting and mobility in the form of rushing, rolling and crawling . The third developmental stage corresponds to an exploration stage including a walking time, and includes a toddler who stands to walk and start running as a level of action. The 4th stage of development corresponds to the time of learning, toddlers who can walk and run without loss of balance and are able to walk and run without loss of balance. including. This fifth stage corresponds to the training stage, including excretion discipline, trying to achieve independence and wholeness, and toddlers walking at the transition from infants to children. Obviously, other stages are also considered. For example, other stages may overlap. Or it may be a part of the above-mentioned steps. Further information regarding infant developmental stages is described in US Pat. No. 6,648,864. Developmental stages may include other infant stages or include other infant stages, including but not limited to ranges by age, ranges by weight, ranges by size, and the like.

  Information about the stage of infant development may include developmental insights, advice on infant care, and practical advice. Developmental insights may include information about infant physical and behavioral development, cognitive development, and / or mental development. For example, developmental insights include physical characteristics that can be expected of infants at each stage of development, advice for more effective communication on the premise of infants' mental development, and information that explains how to respond to infant behavior May be included. Infant care advice may include information on diet, sleep, health, diapers, skin care, and similar infant care issues. Typical infant care advice is advice on diets appropriate for infants at each stage of development. Practical advice may include a wide variety of other advice regarding the stage of development, but these are often related to caretaker responsibility and behavior. For example, practical advice appropriate to the stage of development prior to walking may include information on how the caretaker handles the infant's first portrait photo session. Other practical advice may include tasks such as cooking / meal examples, stress relief advice, and how to spend holidays.

  One of the educational inserts 60 may be a product information insert. This product information insert may provide information about the infant care product 40 that was initially housed in the housing case. This product information may include information regarding the structure, design, materials, effects, and other characteristics of the infant care product 40. This product information may explain one or more technical effects of the infant care product 40. For example, the technical effect may include information on improving the wearing suitability of the diaper, improving the cleaning power of the wipe, or improving the water absorption of the bib. This product information may provide positive information about the infant care product 40. Such information may include one or more individuals or groups of individuals (eg, “The Pediatricians' Choice”) who like, recommend, choose, or You may include a statement to the effect that you are purchasing.

  The product information may include information regarding other infant care products that were not initially provided in the kit 10 or case 12. For example, a case that initially contained a plurality of wipes and a plurality of diapers may include product information regarding related products such as ointments, powders, bottles, diaper change pads, and the like. In general, the same entity (eg, an individual, a company, a group, a union, etc.) will receive both information regarding infant care products originally provided in kit 10 and other infant care products not provided in kit 10. All manufactured, distributed, and / or sold. This product information may be important for the infant developmental stage as disclosed above.

  One of the educational inserts 60 may be an additional information insert. This additional information insert provides a means for obtaining additional infant care information. This additional information insert provides instructions regarding how to obtain additional information. This instruction may be to fill in a postcard and post it. Alternatively, the user may browse the World Wide Web site or call a telephone number. This additional information may be provided to the caretaker by letter, phone, email, or world wide web page. The additional infant care information may be information regarding secondary use of the case, the stage of infant development, and / or product information. Additional infant information may include product offerings for promotional purposes, additional samples, coupons, discounts, and the like.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention where the case 12 with the lid removed is used for secondary use to store memorabilia related to one or more infants. The case 12 may be used for storing a plurality of photographs 70. The partition 17 may be arranged so as to maximize the storage space for the photograph 70. As shown in the drawing, the partition 17 is accommodated in two sections each having a width of about 15.2 cm (6 inches) and a depth of about 10.2 cm (4 inches) so that the size of a general photographic print can be stored. The case may be divided. One or more educational inserts 60 may be used to organize the photos 70. For example, the index insert may follow standard infant-related classification descriptors (eg, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc.) printed on the index insert or entered by the caretaker into the index insert. It may be used for organizing the photograph 70. Other educational inserts 60, such as developmental stage inserts, may be stored with the photos. This developmental stage insert may be placed with an index insert and / or a photo that corresponds to a particular developmental stage. For example, a growth stage insert targeted for the stage prior to walking may be organized together with index inserts and photographs associated with the stage prior to walking. This arrangement makes it possible to quickly reference information about the developmental stage provided by the developmental stage insert when needed by the caretaker.

  In another embodiment, the kit 10 of the present invention may be prepared in accordance with the above disclosure of the present invention. The kit 10 may be provided to the caretaker so that the caretaker can use the kit 10 and have an opportunity to touch the kit 10. More specifically, caregivers need to be provided with the opportunity to use the contained infant care product 40. In one embodiment, kit 10 includes a sufficient number of infant care products 40 for use for at least 24 hours in a standard usage pattern. In addition, the caretaker needs to be provided with an opportunity to contact the educational insert contained in the case and / or the case itself. Opportunities to contact the case include the ability for the caretaker to use the containment case according to the secondary use purpose of storing memorabilia related to at least one infant.

  The kit 10 may be provided to the caretaker at any time, but is preferably provided to the caretaker at the time of infant development that is optimal for the infant care product provided with the kit 10. For example, if the kit 10 includes a plurality of diapers 50 of a size for a newborn, the kit 10 may be provided to a caretaker at a time close to the birth of the newborn. Since the majority of mothers give birth in care facilities (eg, hospitals, women's centers, birth centers), kit 10 containing a diaper 50 sized for a newborn can be used while the mother or infant is staying at the facility. , Father, or other caretaker. The kit 10 may be provided to the caretaker at any time close to the birth of the infant.

  A preferred self-supporting infant care kit may be a newborn care kit with a reusable case as a photo box. This case is made of paperboard and may have dimensions of about 32.39 cm × 22.86 cm × 10.80 cm (12.75 inches × 9 inches × 4.25 inches) (length × width × depth). This case may have five square surfaces (one bottom wall and four side walls). The sixth side is a lid made of paperboard and may have dimensions of about 33.02 cm x 23.50 cm x 5.72 cm (13 inches x 9.25 inches x 2.25 inches) (length x width x depth) . The lid may include an upper surface and four flanges extending downward from the upper surface. In the closed state, the lid may engage the case so that the flange overlaps the side wall in a one-to-one relationship. The case and lid may be surrounded by an overlap of paperboard that provides a handle along one side of the case. This case may be divided into two sections having substantially the same volume by a partition. This partition may be sized across almost the entire width and depth of the case. The compartment formed by the divider is sized to accommodate two rows of standard size snapshots (eg, 10.16 cm × 15.24 cm (4 inches × 6 inches) or 8.89 cm × 12.70 cm (3 .5 inch x 5 inch)).

  During primary use of the case, one compartment may be provided with a reusable container containing about 80 wipes. A suitable wipe container may be Pampers Lavender ™ Baby Wipes sold by Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. In the primary use of this case, the other compartment may accommodate a plurality of diapers. A suitable plurality of diapers may be Pampers Newborn Swaddlers (20 pieces) sold by Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. This case may contain an effective amount of decorative paper pieces, fluff, or packing material to keep the diaper and wipes from moving too much during movement and storage and to fill the gaps.

  The case may further include an envelope containing a number of educational inserts. One or more inserts may instruct the caretaker about how to use the case as a photo box. This insert may describe the orientation of the photo within the compartment, one or more index inserts, and / or how to use an infant development stage insert as a photo break. The one or more inserts may be index inserts that can be customized by the caretaker. The one or more inserts may be infant developmental stage inserts. The at least one insert may be targeted for each stage of infant development (before walking, discovery, exploration, learning, and training). The case may include additional information inserts in postcard form that the caretaker can reply to. This additional information insert may provide a toll-free phone number and / or World Wide Web address from which additional information can be obtained. The case may include product information describing the wiped product and the diaper contained in the case.

  The case may be provided to the newborn's mother and / or father at any time before or after the mother's labor occurs. This containment case may be provided when the mother or newborn is staying at or leaving the birthing facility.

  All documents cited in “Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention” are incorporated herein by reference in the relevant part, and any citation of any document is prior art to the present invention. Should not be considered as an acceptance of

  While particular embodiments and / or individual features of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Let's go. Accordingly, it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

The perspective view of one Embodiment of the self-supporting infant care kit at the time of conveyance. The exploded view of one Embodiment of the self-supporting infant care kit at the time of use. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a self-supporting infant care kit, showing the contents of this embodiment. The perspective view of one Embodiment of a case currently used secondary as a photo box.

Claims (9)

A method of educating caregivers about infant care and development,
a.
i) a storage case suitable for primary use containing at least one infant care product and secondary use containing at least one secondary use item;
ii) at least one infant care product, and iii) at least one educational insert,
Providing a self-supporting infant care kit including:
b. Providing the self-supporting infant care kit to a caretaker; and c. Allowing the caretaker to use the kit,
A method comprising the steps of:   The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one infant care product is selected from the group consisting of diapers, wipes, and combinations thereof.   The method of claim 1, wherein the kit includes a sufficient quantity of the infant care product for use for 24 hours.   The method of claim 1, wherein the educational insert is a secondary use insert that provides instructions to the caregiver regarding the secondary use of the case upon removal of the infant care product.   The method of claim 1, wherein the educational insert is a developmental stage insert that provides instructions to the caretaker regarding the infant's developmental stage.   6. The instruction given to the caretaker regarding the stage of development is selected from the group consisting of developmental insights, infant care, diet, health, and communication advice, practical advice, and combinations thereof. The method described.   The method of claim 6, wherein the developmental stage is selected from the group consisting of a neonatal stage, a pre-walking stage, a yes stage, an exploration stage, a learning stage, a training stage, and combinations thereof.   The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the self-supporting infant care kit to a caretaker occurs near the birth of the infant receiving care of the caretaker.   The method of claim 1, wherein the educational insert is an additional information insert that instructs the caretaker how to obtain additional information regarding infant care and development.

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